Voting-machine.



No. 8544657, PATENTED MAY 21, 1907.

' 0; L. LORRAINE.

VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.7,1907.

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C. L. LORRAINE, VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED JAN.'T,1907.

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.No. 854,657. PATENTED MAY 21, 1907.

' c. L. LORRAINE.

VOTING MACHINE.

A'PILIOATION FILED JAN.'I,1907- 3 SHEETS-SHEER 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VOTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1907.

Application filed January 7, 1907. Serial No. 351,210.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. Lon- RAINE, a citizen of the United. States, residing at East Jordan, in the county of Oharlevoix and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Voting-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to voting machines adapted to be usedby organizations or at general elections and the invention relates more particularly to devices of this character disposed within booths, the door of the booth constituting a part of the mechanism for the purpose of setting the machine.

One of the main objects is to provide a veting machine utilizing small balls for voting purposes there being means whereby a ball can be directed in any one of the receptacles provided for the candidates to be voted for.

A still further object is to provide mechanism adapted to be set by the door of the booth when a voter enters the booth and which has means whereby the voter can conveniently arrange the parts so as to direct a ball into the receptacle provided for each candidate to be voted for by him, there being means operated by the voter for simultz'i-neously discharging one ball into the receptacle provided for each of his chosen candidates.

A still further object is to provide novel means for quickly and accurately determining the nun'iber of votes cast for each candidate.

A still further object is to provide means op rated by the .111 ovcment of the booth door for returning the candidate-indicating devices to their initial positions after each vote has been cast.

W ith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully descr. .JPtl and pointed out in the claims.

In the cconrpanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through the apparatus the door of the booth being shown in elevation; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, the door and parts of said apparatus being shown in section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through the ball actuating and through. the

switch slides; Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of I Fig. 5 is an the candidate selecting slides. enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section of one of the ball receptacles; and Fig. 6 is a transverse section therethrough.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 is a booth of any suitable size and proportions having a door 2 in one wall thereof which preferably opens inward. This dooris kept normally closed by means of a spring 3 and has a bracket 4 extending therefrom. An arm 5 also extends from the door adjacent its hinges and has a cam 6 extending therefrom and disposed eccentrically in relation to the hinge on the door, said cam merging into a bowed portion 7 which is arranged concentric with the door hinge. A lug 8 is located at one end of the cam 6 for the purpose hereinafter more "fully described.

Brackets 9 extend inwardly from the opposite walls of the booth and support an elongated casing 10 preferably rectangular in form and having a slide 11 movable longitudinally therein. One end of this slide has an arm 12 extending therefrom and provided With a friction roller 13 adapted to bear upon the cam 6 and bowed strip 7. Another arm 14 extends from the other end of the slide and is contacted at one end by a lever 15 which is fulcrumed upon one of the brackets 9 and extends downward to a point Within convenient reach of a person Within the booth. A series of openings 16 is formed within the top of the casing 10 and extending upward from each of these openings is a tube 17 which may be of any desired length and which is preferably extended above the roof of the booth and provided at its upper end with a funnel-shaped inlet 18. These tubes 17 constitute reservoirs for balls 19 to be used for voting purposes and each magazine is preferably of sufficient length to hold a very large number of these balls, preferably about four hundred. The slide 11 hereinbefore referred to is provided with apertures 20 disposed apart distances equal to the distances between the openings 16 so that when the slide is in position with the roller 13 of its arm 12 in contact with cam 6, as shown in Fig. 2, one of the openings 20 is disposed directly under each of the openings 1.6. The thickness of the slide 11. is equal to the diameter of any one of the balls 19 and it is therefore apparent that when the slide 11 is in the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 one ball will drop from each magazine 17 into each opening 20 and will rest upon the bottom of the casing 10.

Formed within the bottom of the casing and between the openings 16 are outlet openings 21 so disposed that when the slide 11 is shifted in one direction the openings 20 will simultaneously register with all of the openings 21 so that the balls contained within the openings 20 will be caused to drop simultaneously through the outlet openings 21. Each of the outlet openings is surrounded by a depending tubular extension 22 to which is fastened one end of a flexible tube 23 preferably formed of coiled wire and constituting a conveyer.

Disposed beneath the casing 10 and preferably parallel therewith is a table 24 which may if desired be inclined as shown in Fig. 1 and disposed on this table is a series of tubes 25 each of which has its front end upturned as at 26 and connected to the lower end of one of the flexible conveyers 23. The other ends of the tubes 25 are open. .The bottom of each tube has a series of outlet openings 27 therein the diameter of said openings being considerably greater than that of the balls used in the apparatus and the openings within each tube are adapted to be normally closed by means of a slide 28 which extends transversely of the table and through a casing 29 which extends forward from the table. This slide 28 has printed or otherwise indicated thereon the names of the candidates to be voted. for and these names are spaced apart distances equal to the distances be tween the openings 27. An aperture 30 is formed in the top of casing 29 above each slide and the names of the candidates are adapted to successively appear within each of these apertures. The slide 28 has an opening 31 therein which, when the slide is drawn outward to its greatest extent is disposed above an imperforate portion of the tube in which the slide is mounted. Said opening 31, however, can be caused to register with any one of the openings 27 by pushing the slide inward and a name corresponding with the opening 27 registering with opening 31 will appear through the aperture 30. Extending downward. from each of the openings 27 is a tubular extension 32 to which is detachably fastened a tubular receptacle 33. This receptacle has a slot 34 disposed longitudinally therein and the width of the receptacle is such that two columns of partly overlapping balls can be ac- Each of the slides 28 has a friction roller 36 at its rear end and extending back of all of the slides is a setting strip 37 extending laterally from a lever 38 which is fulcrumed at its lower end as shown at 39. The upper end of this lever is connected by means of a link 40 With one end of a lever 41 fulcrumed upon a bracket 42 secured to one wall of the booth. The other end. of this lever is connected. by a link 13 with the bracket 4 hereinlmfore referred to.

It is of course understood that when the apparatus is in normal position the slides 28 are all pulled outward to their greatest extent and with the rollers 36 in contact with the rear ends of the tubes 25. When in these positions the apertures 31 are disposed above the front end. portions of the tubes 25 so that all of the openings 27 are closed by the slides. The friction roller 13 of arm 12 is also in contact with cam 6 and the apertures 20 in slide 11 in position above the outlets 21. When a voter enters the booth it is necessary to swing the door 2 inward. and this causes two operations to be performed. The cam 6 ridesagainst the roller 13 so as to push the arm 12 longitudinally and therefore shift the slide 11 so as to bring the openings 20 into position beneath the openings 16 so that one ball will drop from the receptacles 17 into each of the openings 2(). Continued inward movement of the door will cause the roller 13 to travel on the concentric strip 7 so that further longitudinal movement of the slide 11 and arm 12 will not occur. The inward swinging of the door will also cause the lever 41 to rock on its fulcrum and pull forward on lever thereby swinging the setting strip 37 forward against the rollers 36 which are in their normal positions. When the door closes the slides 11 and 28 remain in their shifted positions.

It Will be noted by referring to Fig. 2 that the casing is provided above each slide with the name of the oflice for which the persons whose names appear on the slides are candidates. For instance, as shown in the drawings one of the slides is designated by the word Governor; the next slide by the words "Lieut. Governor the next slide by the word Secretary; the fourth slide by the abbreviation M. C. moaning member of Congress; the fifth slide by the word Sheriff and the sixth slide by the word Treasurer. As heretofore stated each of these slides bears the names of the candidates for the oflice indicated. The voter upon entering the booth moves each of the slides longitudinally until the name of his candidate for each office appears within the respective openings 30. After all of the slides have been adjusted in this manner the voter grasps the lever 15 and pulls it to the left so as to shift the slide 11 andv bring the openings 20 in the slide above the outlet openings 21. The balls within the openings 20 will therefore simultaneously drop into all of the openings 21 and will be directed downward through the conveyer tubes and into the respective distributing tubes 25. The adjustment of the slides has of course brought the openings 31 above the openings 27 of the outer vote receiving receptacles and therefore as the balls travel longitudinally through the distributing tubes 25 they will drop through the openings 31 and the uncovered openings 27 and into the receptacles located thereunder. The voter then leaves the booth and when he opens the door inward the setting strip 37 is swung forward as heretofore stated and returns all of the slides 28 to their original positions. The cam 6 also shifts the slide 11 back so as to brin the openings 20 beneath the outlet ends or reservoir 17 thereby permitting one ball to drop by gravity into each slide opening 20. WVhen the next voter enters the booth the parts are all reset so that it is merely necrssary for him to adjust the slides an d. actuate the lever in the manner described. The operation of the mechanism is thus continued throughout the voting period and a ter all the votes have been cast the proper authorities can unlock the casing 35 and (llS('.Ol'll'1Ct the receptacles 33 from the 'ubular extensions 32. The number of votes cast within each of these receptacles will be a :curately indicated by the graduations thereon. It is of course understood that ii preferred each receptacle may also be provided with the name of the candidate to whom it is assignc d.

The preferred form of the invention has been set forth in the foregoing description but I do not limit myself thereto as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the claims.

What is claim ed is:

1. In a voting machine the combination with a plurality of receptacles; of a reservoir, means for conveying an object by gravity from said reservoir to any one of the receptacles, and a manually operated device within said means "for closing all but a predetermined receptacle.

2. In a voting machine the combinatirm. with a plurality of distributing devices, a plurality of receptacles communicating with each distributing device, and means for directing an object against the distributing device; of manually operated means Vithin each distributing device for directing an obect therefrom into any one of the receptacles, and mechanism or sinmltaneousl returning said means tothelr initial positions. 3. In a voting machine the combination with a reservoir a distributin device a )lu rality of receptacles 'communicating with said. device, and means for directing an object from said device into any one 01 the receptacles; of a door operated slidable member disposed to receive an object from the reservoir, and manually operated means for actuating said member to shift the object into the distributing means.

4:. In a voting machine the combination with a reservoir, a distributing device, a plurality of receptacles opening into the distributin device, and. manually operated means i'or directing an object from said device into any one of the receptacles; of a door operated slidable member interposed between the reservoir and the distributing device and designed to receive an object from said reservoir, manually operated means for actuating said member to direct the object therein into the distributing member, and door operated means for returning the object directing means to its initial position subsequent to the discharge of the object into the distributing device.

5. Avoting machine comprising a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of distributing devices, a plurality of receptacles adjacent each distributing device, a slide, means for actuating the slide in one direction to receive an object from each reservoir, means for actuating the slide in an opposite direction to simultaneously deposit an object in each distributing device, and means within each distributing device for directing an object into any one of the adjoining receptacles.

6. A voting machine comprising a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of distributing devices, a plurality of receptacles adjacent each distributing device, a slide, means l or actuating the slide in. one direction to receive an object from each reservoir, means -for actuating the slide in an opposite direction to simultaneously deposit an object in each distributing device, means within each distributing device for directing an object into any one of the adjoining receptacles, and means for indicating the receptacle receiving the object.

7. A voting machine comprising a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of distributing devices, a plurality of receptacles adjacent each distributing device, a slide, means for actuating the lide in one direction to receive an object from each reservoir, means for actuating the slide in an opposite direction to simultaneously deposit an object in each distributing dev ce, means within each distributing device for directing an object into any one of the adjoining receptacles, and means for simul'tancously returning the directing means with n the distributing devices to their initial positions.

8. In a voting machine the combination with a structure having a movable door; of a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of distributing devices, a slide, means operated by the movement of the door in one direction for actuating the slide into position to receive an object from each reservoir, manually operated means for simultaneously directing objects within the slides into the respective distributing devices, a plurality of receptacles adjacent each distributing device, and manually operated means for directing an object from each distributing device into any one of the adjoining receptacles.

9. In a voting machine the combination with a slide having a plurality of apertures therein, and means for directing objects into the respective apertures; of distributing devices, means for shifting the slides to simultaneously discharge the objects therein into the respective distributing devices, a plurality oi. receptacles adjacent each distributing device, and means for directing an object from each distributing device into any one of the adjoining receptacles.

10. In a voting machine the combination with a reservoir, a distributing device, and a conveyor opening into the distributing device; ol shiltable means for directing an object from the reservoir to the conveyor, a plurality of receptacles adjacent the distributing device, and means for directing an object from the distributing device into one of said receptacles.

11. In a voting machine the combination with a reservoir, a distributing device, and a conveyor opening into said device; of a conducting device, a plurality of receptacles disposed adjacent the distributing device, adjustable means for directing an object from the distributing device into any one of the receptacles, manually operated means for shifting the conducting device to cont an object from the reservoir to the conveyer, and simultaneously operated means [or reversing the movement of said device and for returning the object directing means within the distributing device to normal position.

12. In a votiin machine the combination with a structure having a door; of a reservoir, a distrilmt-ing device, a conveyer opening into the distributing device, a carrying device interposed between the conveyer and reservoir, means operated by the movement of the door for bringing said device in position to receive an object from the reservoir, manually operated means for shifting said device into position to discharge an object into the conveyor, a plurality of receptacles adjacent the distributing device, means for directing an object from said distributing device into any one of the receptacles, and mechanism operated by the door for simultaneously returning said means to its initial position and for resetting the carrying de vice to receive an object from the reservoir.

13. The combination with a structure having a door; of a reservoir, a distributing device, a conveyor tube opening into said device, an apertured slide interposed between. the conveyer tube and the reservoir, means operated by the movement of the door for moving the slide in position to receive an object from the reservoir, and. manually operated means for shifting the slide to discharge an object into the tube.

14. In a voting machine the combination with a structure having a door; of a reservoir, a distributing device, an apertured slide interposed between. the reservoir and distributing device, means operated by the movement of the door in. one direction for shifting the slide into position to receive an object from the reservoir, means 'for moving the slide to discharge said object into the distributing device, a plurality of receptacles and means for directing an object from the distributing device into any one of said receptacles.

15. In a voting machine the combination with a structure having a door; of a reservoir, a distributing device, an apertured slide interposed between the reservoir and distributing device, means operated by the movement of the door in one direction for shifting the slide into position to receive an object lrom the reservoir, means -for moving the slide to discharge said object into the distributing device, a plurality o'l receptacles, a slide for directing an object from the distributing device into any one of the receptacles.

16. In a voting machine the combii'iation with a structure having a door; of a reservoir, a distributing device, an apertured slide interposed between the reservoir and distributing device, means operated by the movement of the door in one direction for shifting the slide in position to receive an object from the reservoir, means for moving the slide to discharge said object into the distributing device, a plurality ol receptacles, a slide for directing an object from the distributing device into any one of the receptacles, and means operated by the door l or returning the slide to its initial position.

17. In a voting machine the. combination with a distributing device and a suitably designated casin g extending therefrom; oil a plurality of receptacles adjacent the distributing device, a slide mounted within. the casing and distributing device and having an aperture adapted to register with any one of said receptacles, means upon the slide for designating the registering receptacle, and means for directing an object into the distributing device.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto allixed my signature in the presence oil" two witnesses.

CLARENCE l i. TDRRAIN l Witnesses:

FRANK Lananm, BERT L. LORRAINE. 

